Abstract:

An inhaler comprising: a body; at least one cover element that is movable
between a closed position and an open position; individual reservoirs
formed on a reservoir substrate; movable support means that receive said
reservoir substrate and that are displaceable between a non-dispensing
position and a dispensing position; and an indicator device for
indicating doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed,
said indicator device comprising: a rotary indicator element that
supports indicator means, such as numbers, colors, and/or symbols; and an
actuator that co-operates with said movable support means so as to cause
said rotary indicator element to turn when said movable support means
return from the dispensing position to the non-dispensing position.

Claims:

1. A fluid dispenser device, characterized in that it comprises:a body
provided with a dispenser orifice;at least one cover element that is
movable between a closed position and an open position;a plurality of
individual reservoirs each containing a dose of fluid, such as a
pharmaceutical powder, said reservoirs being formed on a reservoir
substrate;movable support means that receive said reservoir substrate,
and that are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a
dispensing position; andan indicator device for indicating doses that
have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed, said indicator device
comprising: a rotary indicator element that supports indicator means,
such as numbers, colors, and/or symbols; and an actuator that co-operates
with said movable support means so as to cause said rotary indicator
element to turn when said movable support means return from the
dispensing position to the non-dispensing position.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which said rotary indicator element
includes at least one peripheral set of teeth that co-operates with the
actuator.

3. A device according to claim 1, in which said indicator device includes
anti-return means that prevent said rotary indicator element from turning
in the direction opposite to that imparted by the actuator.

4. A device according to claim 3, in which said anti-return means include
a flexible finger that co-operates with a set of teeth of the rotary
indicator element.

5. A device according to claim 1, in which said rotary indicator element
is a ring provided with a first peripheral set of teeth that co-operates
with the actuator.

6. A device according to claim 5, in which said ring includes a second
peripheral set of teeth that co-operates with anti-return means that
prevent said ring from turning in the direction opposite to that imparted
by the actuator.

7. A device according to claim 5, in which the first set of teeth is an
inner set of teeth, and the second set of teeth is an outer set of teeth.

8. A device according to claim 1, in which said actuator is pivotally
mounted on the body and firstly includes pivot means that co-operate with
complementary means provided on said movable support means, and secondly
includes drive means that co-operate with the rotary indicator element.

9. A device according to claim 8, in which said indicator element is a
rotary ring provided with: an inner set of teeth that co-operates with a
drive finger of the actuator; and an outer set of teeth that co-operates
with an anti-return finger.

10. A device according to claim 9, in which, while said movable support
means are being displaced from the non-dispensing position to the
dispensing position, said drive finger passes into the following tooth of
the inner set of teeth, during which said anti-return finger prevents
said ring from turning.

11. A device according to claim 9, in which, while said movable support
means are being displaced from the dispensing position to the
non-dispensing position, said drive finger causes said rotary ring to
turn, during which said anti-return finger passes into the following
tooth of the outer set of teeth.

12. A device according to claim 11, in which the angle of rotation of the
rotary ring on each actuation corresponds to one tooth of the inner set
of teeth.

13. A device according to claim 1, in which said indicator device includes
blocking means that prevent said rotary indicator element from turning at
all after indicating the last dose.

14. A device according to claim 13, in which said blocking means comprise
a different tooth in the set of teeth that co-operates with the actuator.

15. A device according to claim 1, in which the displacement of said
movable support means from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing
position is controlled by the user inhaling.

Description:

[0001]The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser device, and more
particularly to a dry-powder inhaler.

[0002]Dry-powder inhalers are well known in the prior art. Various types
exist. A first type of inhaler contains a reservoir receiving many doses
of powder, the inhaler being provided with metering means making it
possible, on each actuation, to remove one dose of said powder from the
reservoir, so as to bring said dose into an expulsion duct in order to be
dispensed to the user. Another type of inhaler consists in packaging the
doses of powder in individual predosed reservoirs, then in opening one of
the reservoirs each time the inhaler is actuated. That implementation
seals the powder more effectively since each dose is opened only when it
is about to be expelled. In order to make such individual reservoirs,
various techniques have already been proposed, such as an elongate
blister strip or blisters disposed on a rotary circular disk. Inhalers
including individual reservoirs, such as capsules, that are loaded into
the inhaler just before said reservoir is used are also described in the
prior art. The advantage of such devices is that it is not necessary to
store all of the doses inside the appliance, such that said appliance can
be compact. Obviously however, the inhaler is more difficult to use,
since the user is obliged to load a capsule into the inhaler before each
use. All existing types of inhalers, including those described above,
present both advantages and drawbacks associated with their structures
and with their types of operation. Thus, with certain inhalers, there is
the problem of accuracy and of reproducibility for the dose on each
actuation. In addition, the effectiveness of the dispensing, i.e. the
fraction of the dose that effectively penetrates into the user's lungs in
order to have a beneficial therapeutic effect, is also a problem that
exists with a certain number of inhalers. A solution for solving that
specific problem has been to synchronize the expulsion of the dose with
the inhalation of the patient. Once again, that can create drawbacks, in
particular in that type of device, the dose is generally loaded into an
expulsion duct before inhalation, then expulsion is synchronized with
inhalation. That means that if the user drops, shakes, or manipulates the
inhaler in an undesirable or inappropriate manner between the moment when
the user loads the dose (either from a multidose reservoir or from an
individual reservoir) and the moment when the user inhales, then the user
risks losing all or part of the dose, with said dose possibly being
spread about inside the appliance. In that event, there can exist a high
risk of overdosing the next time the device is used. The user who
realizes that the dose is not complete will load a new dose into the
appliance, and while the new dose is being inhaled, a fraction of the
previous dose that was lost in the appliance could thus be expelled at
the same time as the new dose, thereby causing an overdose. In the
treatments envisaged, such overdosing can be very harmful, and the
authorities in all countries are issuing ever-stricter requirements to
limit the risk of overdosing as much as possible. With regard to opening
the individual reservoirs, it has been proposed to peel off or to unstick
the closure layer. That presents the drawback of difficulty in
controlling the forces to be applied in order to guarantee complete
opening, without running the risk of opening the next reservoir,
particularly if the opening means need to be actuated by inhalation. In a
variant, it has been proposed to perforate the closure layer or wall.
That presents the drawback that the cut wall-portions risk retaining a
fraction of the dose inside the reservoir, so that metering accuracy and
reproducibility are therefore not guaranteed.

[0003]An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispenser
device, in particular a dry-powder inhaler, that does not have the
above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0004]In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a
device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and to assemble,
that is reliable in use, guaranteeing metering accuracy and metering
reproducibility on each actuation, providing an optimum yield with regard
to the effectiveness of the treatment, by making it possible to dispense
a substantial fraction of the dose to the zones to be treated, in
particular the lungs, avoiding, in safe and effective manner, any risk of
overdosing, and that is as compact as possible, while guaranteeing
sealing and absolute integrity of all of the doses up to their expulsion.

[0005]Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that
avoids any risk of under-dosing, with the reservoir being opened, the
dose being expelled, and the emitted dose being counted only after the
user has inhaled. In addition, an object of the present invention is to
avoid any risk of doses being lost in the absence of any inhalation, even
if the user manipulates the device.

[0006]Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that
makes it possible to count the number of doses that have been emitted or
that remain to be emitted.

[0007]The present invention thus provides a fluid dispenser device
comprising: a body provided with a dispenser orifice; at least one cover
element that is movable between a closed position and an open position; a
plurality of individual reservoirs each containing a dose of fluid, such
as a pharmaceutical powder, said reservoirs being formed on a reservoir
substrate; movable support means that receive said reservoir substrate,
and that are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a
dispensing position; and an indicator device for indicating doses that
have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed, said indicator device
comprising: a rotary indicator element that supports indicator means,
such as numbers, colors, and/or symbols; and an actuator that co-operates
with said movable support means so as to cause said rotary indicator
element to turn when said movable support means return from the
dispensing position to the non-dispensing position.

[0008]Advantageously, said rotary indicator element includes at least one
peripheral set of teeth that co-operates with the actuator.

[0009]Advantageously, said indicator device includes anti-return means
that prevent said rotary indicator element from turning in the direction
opposite to that imparted by the actuator.

[0010]Advantageously, said anti-return means include a flexible finger
that co-operates with a set of teeth of the rotary indicator element.

[0011]Advantageously, said actuator is a ring provided with a first
peripheral set of teeth that co-operates with the actuator.

[0012]Advantageously, said ring includes a second peripheral set of teeth
that co-operates with anti-return means that prevent said ring from
turning in the direction opposite to that imparted by the actuator.

[0013]Advantageously, the first set of teeth is an inner set of teeth, and
the second set of teeth is an outer set of teeth.

[0014]Advantageously, said actuator is pivotally mounted on the body and
firstly includes pivot means that co-operate with complementary means
provided on said movable support means, and secondly includes drive means
that co-operate with the rotary indicator element.

[0015]Advantageously, said indicator element is a rotary ring provided
with: an inner set of teeth that co-operates with a drive finger of the
actuator; and an outer set of teeth that co-operates with an anti-return
finger.

[0016]Advantageously, while said movable support means are being displaced
from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position, said drive
finger passes into the following tooth of the inner set of teeth, during
which said anti-return finger prevents said ring from turning.

[0017]Advantageously, while said movable support means are being displaced
from the dispensing position to the non-dispensing position, said drive
finger causes said rotary ring to turn, during which said anti-return
finger passes into the following tooth of the outer set of teeth.

[0018]Advantageously, the angle of rotation of the rotary ring on each
actuation corresponds to one tooth of the inner set of teeth.

[0019]Advantageously, said indicator device includes blocking means that
prevent said rotary indicator element from turning at all after
indicating the last dose.

[0020]Advantageously, said blocking means comprise a different tooth in
the set of teeth that co-operates with the actuator.

[0021]Advantageously, the displacement of said movable support means from
the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position is controlled by
the user inhaling.

[0022]These characteristics and advantages and others of the present
invention appear more clearly from the following detailed description of
several embodiments and variants thereof, given by way of non-limiting
example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is an external diagrammatic view of a device constituting an
advantageous variant of the invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section view of a device constituting an
embodiment of the invention, shown in the closed position;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 2, shown during
opening;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 3, shown in the open
position;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 4, shown after
inhalation;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 5, shown at the start
of closure, after inhalation;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 6, shown during
closure, after inhalation;

[0030]FIG. 8 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 7, shown once closed,
after inhalation;

[0031]FIG. 9 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 4, shown at the start
of closure, in the absence of any inhalation;

[0032]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic section view of a device constituting
another embodiment of the invention, shown in the closed position;

[0033]FIG. 11 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 10, shown in the open
position;

[0034]FIG. 12 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 11, shown after
inhalation;

[0035]FIG. 13 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 12, shown during
closure, after inhalation;

[0036]FIG. 14 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 13, shown once closed,
after inhalation;

[0037]FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of a device constituting a variant
embodiment of the invention, showing in transparency the metered dose
inhaler in the closed position;

[0040]FIG. 18 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 15, shown in the open
position;

[0041]FIG. 19 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 18, shown after
inhalation;

[0042]FIG. 20 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 19, shown once closed,
after inhalation;

[0043]FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic section view of a device constituting
another embodiment of the invention, shown in the closed position;

[0044]FIG. 22 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 21, shown during
opening;

[0045]FIG. 23 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 22, shown in the open
position;

[0046]FIG. 24 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 23, shown after
inhalation;

[0047]FIG. 25 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 24, shown during
closing, after inhalation;

[0048]FIG. 26 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 25, shown once closed,
after inhalation;

[0049]FIGS. 27a and 27b are diagrammatic section views, respectively from
the front and from the rear, of another embodiment of the invention,
shown in the closed position;

[0050]FIGS. 28a and 28b are views similar to the views in FIGS. 27a and
27b, shown in the open position;

[0051]FIGS. 29a and 29b are views similar to the views in FIGS. 28a and
28b, shown after inhalation;

[0052]FIGS. 30a and 30b are views similar to the views in FIGS. 29a and
29b, shown during closure, after inhalation;

[0053]FIGS. 31a and 31b are views similar to the views in FIGS. 30a and
30b, shown once closed, after inhalation; and

[0054]FIG. 32 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 5, diagrammatically
showing the reservoir substrate and the opening means constituting an
advantageous variant of the invention.

[0055]FIG. 1 shows an external view of an embodiment of a dry-powder
inhaler. The inhaler comprises a central body 10 on which there are
slidably mounted two lateral elements or wings 11, 12 that form a cover
when the device is closed and that are adapted to be moved apart in order
to open the device and thus stress the device as described below. The
body 10 can be approximately rounded in shape at its bottom portion, and
relatively flat at its top portion, as shown in the FIG. 1, but it could
be of any other appropriate shape. The body 10 includes a dispenser and
inhaler orifice 15 through which the user inhales while the device is
being actuated. The two cover-forming lateral portions 11, 12 can be
opened by pivoting about a common pivot axis as shown in FIG. 1, but any
other opening means can be envisaged for opening the device.
Alternatively, it is possible to provide only one cover element that is
movable relative to the body, instead of the two shown in FIG. 1.

[0056]The body advantageously includes a window 19 through which the count
of the doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed can
be displayed in visible manner for the user. The window 19 can
advantageously be provided on or close to the pivot axis of the
cover-forming cover elements 11, 12. A substrate 20 of individual
reservoirs 21 can be provided inside the body. The reservoirs are
advantageously of the blister type, and the reservoir substrate is
preferably an elongate strip on which the blisters are disposed one
behind another, in known manner. The strip and the blisters are shown in
part in FIG. 32 only so as not to overload the other drawings for the
purpose of clarity. The blister strip may advantageously be constituted
by a base layer or wall that forms cavities receiving the doses of
powder, and by a closure layer or wall that covers each of said blisters
in sealed manner. The blister strip can be rolled-up inside the body, and
drive means 30 for driving the strip are provided for progressively
unrolling the blister strip and for bringing a respective blister or
individual reservoir into a dispensing position each time the device is
actuated. When an individual reservoir has been emptied by inhalation,
the strip portion that includes said empty reservoirs is advantageously
adapted to be rolled-up at another location of said body 10.

[0057]Reservoir-opening means 80 are provided in, or secured to, the body
10, the opening means comprising perforator and/or cutter means for
perforating or cutting the closure layer of the blisters. The opening
means are also shown diagrammatically in FIG. 32 only so as not to
overload the other drawings for the purpose of clarity.

[0058]Movable support means 50 are adapted to support at least the
reservoir that is to be opened during the next inhalation. The movable
support means 50 are adapted to displace the reservoir to be emptied
against said opening means of the device during actuation.
Advantageously, the movable support means 50 are urged by an
elastically-deformable loading element, such as a spring, a rod, or any
other equivalent resilient element, said loading element being suitable
for being prestressed in particular while the device is being opened.
Advantageously, the movable support means 50 are displaceable between a
first position (a non-dispensing position) and a second position (a
dispensing position) that is the position for opening the reservoir.

[0059]The movable support means 50 advantageously comprise a substantially
rigid part, such as a rod, that is hinged relative to said body 10. A
guide wheel 30 that is fastened in rotary manner on said movable support
means 50 receives and guides the blisters. Turning the guide wheel 30
thus causes the blister strip to advance in a first direction. In a
particular angular position, a given reservoir or blister is always in
position to be opened by the opening means. Advantageously, rotary
positioning means 300 for positioning said guide wheel 30 in turning can
be provided for accurately determining the angular position of said guide
wheel 30 after each turn. In an advantageous variant, the positioning
means 300 can comprise a projection or finger 301 having an end that
co-operates resiliently with notches 38 that are provided around said
guide wheel 30. Advantageously, the notches 38 have an approximately
V-shaped profile that automatically guides said finger 301 towards the
central position of the notch, thereby guaranteeing accurate angular
positioning at each turn. The positioning means 300 are visible in FIGS.
2 and 6 in particular. The guide wheel 30 preferably forms the only drive
means for driving the reservoir substrate. One (or more) additional
wheel(s) could optionally be provided so as to help guide and/or drive
the reservoir substrate.

[0060]Advantageously, abutment means 350 are provided for accurately
determining the dispensing position of the guide wheel 30 during each
inhalation. The abutment means can comprise a lug 350 that is adapted to
co-operate, when in the dispensing position, with one or more
corresponding plane surfaces of the guide wheel 30. Preferably, one plane
surface is associated with each recess. In this embodiment, the abutment
350 contributes to correct rotary positioning of the guide wheel 30 when
the opening means, in particular the perforator and/or cutter means
penetrate into the reservoir to be emptied. The abutment 350 therefore
defines not only the depth to which said perforator and/or cutter means
penetrate into the reservoir, but also their centering relative to the
reservoir, so as to guarantee optimum expulsion of the powder and
reproducibility of the dose taken on each actuation. The abutment means
350 can be associated with the above-mentioned rotary positioning means
300, in such a manner as to predetermine in accurate manner each position
of the guide wheel, in the non-dispensing position, in the dispensing
position, and also while the guide wheel 30 is being displaced between
said positions. This makes it possible to avoid any risk of the device
blocking in the event of said guide wheel being badly positioned. The
abutment means 350 are shown in FIG. 5 in particular.

[0061]While the reservoir is being displaced towards its opening position
in order to be opened by the opening means 80, the opening means are
preferably stationary relative to the body 10. However, it is possible to
envisage that the opening means could also move during the step of
opening the reservoir. For example, the opening means could be displaced
towards the reservoir while the reservoir is being displaced towards the
opening means. In another variant, it is also possible to envisage that
the reservoir and the opening means are displaced in the same direction
during actuation, the reservoir being displaced more quickly in said
direction, such that it comes into contact with said opening means in
order to be opened.

[0062]As explained above, it is desirable for the opening means to be
actuated by the user inhaling. In order to trigger the reservoir-opening
means by inhalation, an inhalation trigger system is provided that
advantageously comprises means 60 that are displaceable and/or deformable
under the effect of inhalation, the means 60 being adapted to release the
blocking means 100. The means 60 advantageously comprises a deformable
air-chamber 61 that co-operates with the blocking means 100 of said
movable support means 50. Inhalation by the user causes said deformable
air-chamber 61 to deform, thereby making it possible to release said
blocking means 100 and therefore unblock the movable support means 50, so
as to make it possible to displace the guide wheel 30, and thus the
reservoir to be emptied, towards its opening position. Advantageously,
the air chamber 61 can comprise a deformable membrane 62, that can be
connected firstly to the inhaler orifice 15, and secondly to said
blocking means 100 in direct or indirect manner. Thus, during inhalation,
the membrane 62 deforms and/or contracts, thereby causing said blocking
means 100 to be displaced into an unblocking position. Advantageously, a
pouch or diaphragm 62 can form the air chamber 61. The pouch 62 is
connected to the inhaler orifice 15 via a channel 151 that is
advantageously disposed around an expulsion channel 152 that is connected
to a dispenser chamber 70. The pouch 62 may be fastened to a rod 101 that
is connected to the blocking means 100, inhalation causing the pouch 62
to deform thereby causing the rod 101 to pivot in order to displace said
blocking means 100. The pouch 62 may advantageously be made of silicone,
and may include a hem 620 that is adapted to form a seal with the body
10. To do this, the hem 620 can be extended by a flange 625, also made of
silicone, that becomes compressed by a snap-fastener portion of the body
10 in order to achieve sealing, and in particular to avoid any head loss
in the inhalation flow. In a variant, the deformable air chamber could be
made in some other way, in particular by any deformable membrane.

[0063]The inhaler further includes a dispenser chamber 70 for receiving
the dose of powder after a respective reservoir has been opened. The
dispenser chamber 70 is advantageously provided with at least one
substantially spherical element 75, such as a bead, that is displaced
inside said chamber 70 during inhalation so as to improve dispensing of
the air and powder mixture after a reservoir has been opened, in order to
increase the effectiveness of the device.

[0064]In a particular variant, the deformable air-chamber 61 co-operates
with the dispenser chamber 70. The dispenser chamber 70 can therefore be
connected to the opening means of the reservoir, and in particular to the
perforator and/or cutter means, and can include a dispenser orifice 79,
advantageously connected directly to the dispenser and inhaler orifice 15
of the device. The membrane 62 can thus be connected firstly to the
inhaler orifice 15, and secondly to the dispenser chamber 70, in the
user's inhalation flow path. It can be advantageous for the opening
means, in particular for the perforator and/or cutter means, to be formed
directly on said dispenser chamber 70, e.g. at the end of a channel 69
leading to said chamber 70.

[0065]After inhalation, when the user closes the device, all of the
components return to their initial, rest position, i.e. the movable
support means 50 pivot about their pivot axis to return to their
non-dispensing position by moving away from the reservoir-opening means,
and the load element is also returned to its initial rest position in
which it is not compressed or deformed. The device is thus ready for a
new utilization cycle.

[0066]In a variant, other inhalation trigger means could also be used,
e.g. using a pivotable valve flap that, while the user is inhaling,
pivots under the effect of the suction created by the inhalation, with
pivoting of the valve flap causing the blocking means blocking the
movable support means to be released, thereby causing the reservoir to be
displaced towards the opening means.

[0067]The movable support means 50 that support the guide wheel 30 may
advantageously include an extension 501, indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5, that
serves in particular to co-operate with the blocking means 100.
Furthermore, the extension may also serve to substantially block a hole
1550 provided in the device, when the movable support means are in the
dispensing position. In the non-dispensing position, the inhalation flow
thus passes in part via the hole 1550. After the movable support means 50
are displaced into the dispensing position, thereby causing the hole 1550
to be blocked substantially and the reservoir to open, the inhalation
flow is channeled mainly towards said open reservoir. This improves
effectiveness during inhalation and helps to ensure that the reservoir is
emptied in optimum manner.

[0068]In another advantageous aspect of the inhaler, the individual
reservoirs or blisters 21 are formed on an elongate strip 20 that is
stored in the form of a roll inside the body 10 of the device.
Advantageously, the rolled-up blister strip is held by inner walls of
said body 10 without its "rear" end (rear in the displacement direction
of the blister strip) being fastened relative to said body 10, thereby
enabling the blister strip to be assembled more easily inside the device.
The blister strip is advantageously displaced by means of the guide wheel
30 that advantageously presents at least one and preferably more recesses
31, shown in FIG. 6, having a shape that corresponds substantially to the
shape of the blisters. Thus, when the guide wheel 30 turns, it drives the
blister strip in the first direction. Naturally, in a variant or in
additional manner, it is possible to use other means for advancing the
blister strip, e.g. providing a profile on the longitudinal lateral edges
of the blister strip, said profile being adapted to co-operate with
appropriate drive means. In addition, holes formed along the lateral
edges of the blister strip could also be used to cause the blister strip
to advance by means of toothed wheels co-operating with said holes, as
with photographic film.

[0069]In still another aspect of the inhaler, a dose counter or indicator
device is also provided. The device may include numbers or symbols that
are marked directly on the blister strip, and that are visible through an
appropriate window in the body of the device. In a variant, it is
possible to envisage using one or more rotary disks including numbers or
symbols, as described below.

[0070]FIGS. 2 to 9 show an advantageous embodiment of the present
invention. With reference to this embodiment, the device includes a body
10 on which two cover elements 11, 12 are advantageously hinged about a
common hinge axis, as shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of clarity, only
one of the cover elements, specifically the cover element shown on the
righthand side of the device and indicated by numerical reference 12, is
shown in the figures. The displacements of the various parts are
indicated diagrammatically by arrows in certain figures.

[0071]Said movable cover element 12 is connected to a cocking member 800,
advantageously via an opening 109 that may be oblong in shape and in
which there is received a lug 801, or the like, of said cocking member
800. Advantageously, the cocking member 800 is pivotally mounted on the
body 10 about a pivot axis. The cocking member 800 supports the loading
element 51 that, in this embodiment, is made in the form of a helical
spring. The spring 51 co-operates with a rod 810, connected at one end to
said helical spring 51 and at its other end to a cam surface 910 provided
on said movable support means 50, said rod being described below. While
the cocking member 800 is being displaced about its pivot axis during
displacement of the movable cover element 12, the rod 810 is thus adapted
to compress the spring 51 when the cover element 12 is open, and to
decompress said spring 51 when said cover element 12 is closed. In its
portion in contact with the cam surface 910, the rod 810 advantageously
includes a rounded portion 811, such as a ball-shaped end, to encourage
the rod 810 to slide over said cam surface 910. The cocking member 800
further includes a projection 820 that is adapted to co-operate with an
extension portion 520 of the movable support means 50, as described in
more detail below. The cocking member 800 further includes guide means
850, advantageously formed in the form of a groove in which there is
received a projection 1010 that is connected to a drive element 1000,
that is also described in more detail below. Advantageously, said groove
850 comprises at least two portions of different slopes, having functions
that are also described below.

[0072]In this embodiment, the movable support means 50 are made in the
form of a part that is pivotally mounted on the body about a pivot axis
511. The movable support means 50 also incorporate an extension 501,
advantageously in the shape of a fin. The above-mentioned cam surface 910
is formed on said movable support means 50 so that when the spring 51 is
loaded while opening the movable cover element 12, said movable support
means 50 are urged towards their dispensing position by said rod 810
being thrust by the compressed spring 51. Blocking means 100 are provided
for retaining said movable support means 50 in said non-dispensing
position, shown in particular in FIG. 2. Said blocking means 100
advantageously include a blocking element 110 that is adapted to
co-operate with said extension 501 of said movable support means 50. Said
blocking means 100 are advantageously connected by means of a rod 101 to
the deformable diaphragm 62 that is sensitive to inhalation by the user,
so that while the user inhales, said diaphragm deforms, thus causing the
rod 101 to pivot, and consequently said blocking element 110, thereby
releasing the extension 501. This enables said movable support means 50
to be displaced towards their dispensing position under the effect of the
force exerted by the compressed spring 51. The displacement of the
movable support means 50 causes an individual reservoir to be opened, as
described above.

[0073]Advantageously, the drive element 1000 is pivotally mounted inside
the body 10. As explained above, the drive element 1000 co-operates
firstly with the groove 850 of the loading member 800 by means of its
projection 1010. In addition, another projection 1020 of said drive
element 1000 co-operates with a set of teeth 37 of the guide wheel 30.
When the cover element 12 is in its closed position, the projection 1020
meshes with said set of teeth 37. When the cover element 12 is opened,
the projection 1010 of the drive element slides in the groove 850 of the
loading member causing said drive element 1000 to pivot about its pivot
axis. Such pivoting causes the drive projection 1020 to disengage from
said set of teeth 37 of the guide wheel 30. This disengaged position is
shown in FIG. 4. When the user inhales, the movable support means 50 are
displaced towards the dispensing position. Since the guide wheel 30 is
fastened in rotary manner on said movable support means 50, obviously it
is displaced together with said movable support means towards the opening
means. In the dispensing position, the drive projection 1020 of the drive
element 1000 is thus situated facing another tooth of the set of teeth 37
of the guide wheel 30, as clearly visible in FIG. 5. Then, when the user
closes the cover element 12, the projection 1010 of the drive element
once again slides in the groove 850 of the loading member 800, this time
in the other direction, which in turn causes said drive element 1000 to
pivot. The drive projection 1020 thus comes to mesh with another tooth,
in particular the next tooth, of the set of teeth 37 of the guide wheel
30, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. Meshing advantageously occurs during the
beginning, in particular in the first half, of the return stroke of the
movable cover element 12 towards its closed position, and continuing the
return stroke causes the guide wheel 30 to turn under the effect of said
drive element 1000. In this way, the guide wheel 30 turns about its axis
of rotation so as to bring the next full blister to face the opening
means with a view to the next actuation of the device and thus the next
dispensing of a dose. As explained above, the groove 850 of the loading
member advantageously comprises two portions of different slopes.
Starting from the closed position of the movable cover element, the first
portion of the groove 850 advantageously does not cause the drive element
1000 to pivot, and it is only in the second portion of steeper slope in
the groove 850 that the drive element 1000 is caused to pivot about its
pivot axis so as to cause the drive element to disengage from the set of
teeth 37. Consequently, when the user closes the cover, the drive
projection 1020 of the drive element 1000 returns quickly inside the next
tooth of the set of teeth 37, and continuing the return stroke of the
movable cover element towards its closed position causes said guide wheel
30 to turn.

[0074]The cam surface 910 also includes at least two portions of different
slopes that are advantageously separated by a vertex 911. Starting once
again from the closed position of the movable cover element, the first
slope portion on which the rod 810 slides, enables the spring 51 to be
compressed, as describe above. When the spring is loaded, i.e.
compressed, the cam surface 910 provides a second different slope portion
with which the rod 810 co-operates when the device is in its open
position. The rod 810 preferably exerts a force that is substantially
perpendicular on the second cam surface portion, as shown in FIG. 4. In
this way, the loaded position is stable.

[0075]In the open position, shown in FIG. 4, the movable support means 50
that are urged towards the dispensing position by the compressed spring
51 thus exert a force on the blocking means 100, in particular on the
blocking element 110 of the blocking means, by means of the extension
501. At the opposite end of the rod 101, in the proximity of the
connection of said rod 101 to the diaphragm 62, a bearing zone 103 is
advantageously provided, adapted to co-operate with a complementary zone
503 provided on the movable support means 50. The bearing zone 103 makes
it possible to create a loaded position that is stable between said
movable support means 50 and said blocking means 100. Each of the two
means are movable, and the dual contact, firstly with a force exerted
upwards (with reference to the position shown in FIG. 4) by the extension
501 on the shoulder portion 110, and secondly with a force exerted
downwards by the bearing zone 103 on the complementary zone 503,
guarantees balanced blocking that can be released only by the user
inhaling, causing the diaphragm 62 to deform, and thus the rod 101 of the
blocking means 100 to pivot.

[0076]After inhalation, i.e. in the dispensing position shown in FIG. 5,
the blocking means 100 have pivoted, and the movable support means 50
have been displaced upwards by the compressed spring 51. The pivoting of
the blocking means, in particular of the blocking element 110, causes an
end portion 115 of the blocking element 110 to project out from the body
10, as shown in particular in FIG. 5. Then, when the user closes the
movable cover element 12, said cover element 12, when fully closed, comes
to bear against said end portion 115, thereby returning the blocking
means 100 to their initial position with the diaphragm 62 that is also
returned to its initial position, as shown in particular in FIG. 8.

[0077]Thus, by opening the inhaler, the user loads the system. If the user
does not inhale and closes the inhaler, said inhaler merely returns to
its start position without displacing the reservoirs 21 or the blocking
means 100. There is thus no risk of a reservoir (and thus an active dose
of substance) being lost by accidental or incomplete actuation in which
the user does not inhale between opening and closing. Opening the
reservoir, emptying it, dispensing the powder into the lungs of the user,
and displacing the blister strip to bring a new full reservoir to face
the opening means is thus possible only if the user inhales.

[0078]In addition, after inhalation and thus displacement of the movable
support means 50 towards the dispensing position, closure of the movable
cover element 12 returns the loading member 800 towards its start
position. As shown in FIG. 6, it is at this moment that the projection
820 of the loading member 800 co-operates with the extension portion 520
of the movable support means 50 so as to push said movable support means
50 and thus cause them to pivot towards their non-dispensing position.
The movable support means 50 are thus advantageously returned towards the
non-dispensing position that is mechanically linked to the closure of the
movable cover element 12.

[0079]As explained above, FIGS. 2 to 9 show only one movable cover element
12, but naturally a second movable cover element, advantageously
symmetrical to the movable cover element shown, could be provided around
the body 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Advantageously, the two movable cover
elements 11, 12 are then meshed together so as to guarantee symmetrical
opening and closing of said two movable cover elements. They can be
meshed together in the proximity of their pivot point.

[0080]FIGS. 21 to 26 show a variant embodiment in which the cam surface
910 is replaced by a connecting rod or toggle 9000 that is pivotally
connected firstly to the rod 810 that is connected to the spring 51 and
secondly to the movable support means 50, by means of two respective
pivot axes 9001 and 9002. In the closed position, shown in FIG. 21, the
toggle 9000 forms an angle relative to the rod 810 and the longitudinal
axis of the spring 51. When the user opens the cover elements 11, 12, the
user pulls on the axis 9001, displacing the loading member 800 towards
the right in the figure, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 22. Since the
movable support means 50 are stationary as a result of being retained by
the blocking means 100, the toggle thus becomes straight so as to align
itself with the axis of the rod 810 and of the spring 51, as shown in
FIG. 22. This causes the spring 51 to compress as a result of the toggle
being longer than it is wide. In the open position shown in FIG. 23, the
toggle advantageously extends beyond the longitudinal axis of the rod 810
and of the spring 51, so as to guarantee an open position that is stable.
As above, if the user closes the inhaler without inhaling, nothing
happens at the blister strip, which has not moved. After inhalation (FIG.
24), the blocking means are released, as described above, a reservoir is
opened, and a dose is expelled. Then, when the user closes the cover
elements 11, 12 (FIGS. 25 and 26), the toggle 9000 pivots back towards
its initial position, thereby returning the movable support means 50 into
their non-dispensing position. The blocking means 100 and the connection
means 1000 are substantially identical to those in the embodiment in
FIGS. 2 to 9, but variants can also be envisaged.

[0081]FIGS. 10 to 14 show another embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment, the identical or similar elements are represented by
identical numerical references, whereas the elements that differ are
represented by numerical references including primes.

[0082]The embodiment differs from the above mainly by the loading means
that are made in another way. In this second embodiment, there is no
longer a spring 51 but a rod 51' that can flex so as to exert the
resilient force on the movable support means. The rod 51' is thus firstly
fastened to the movable support means 50, and secondly it is connected to
the cocking member 800, advantageously by means of a projection 51'' that
penetrates into a groove 910' of appropriate shape. The groove forms a
cam surface 910' against which said projection 51'' of the rod 51' comes
to slide during opening and closing of the movable cover elements 11, 12.
The shape of the groove, approximately in the shape of a circular arc,
thus comprises a first groove portion and a second groove portion that
are connected at a vertex 911'. As for the cam surface 910 of the first
embodiment in FIGS. 2 to 9, the first portion of the groove 910' serves
to load the spring, i.e. the resilient rod 51', by deforming it, whereas
the second portion of the groove 910' makes it possible to provide a
position that is stable in the loaded position, i.e. in the open
position. When the device is loaded, as shown in FIG. 11, the flexed
flexible rod 51' thus exerts a force on the movable support means 50, so
as to urge them towards their dispensing position. In manner similar to
the first embodiment in FIGS. 2 to 9, the movable support means 50 are
held in the non-dispensing position by the blocking means 100 that can be
made in manner very similar to the manner described above. When the user
inhales, the blocking means 100 are released and the movable support
means 50 can be displaced towards their dispensing position towards the
opening means.

[0083]Another difference in this embodiment relates to the displacement
means for displacing the reservoir substrate, in particular the blister
strip. In this second embodiment, the guide wheel 30 meshes with a
toothed wheel 730, itself co-operating with a drive element 1000'.
Whereas in the first embodiment in FIGS. 2 to 9, the drive element 1000
was connected firstly to the groove 850 of the loading member 800, and
secondly directly to the set of teeth 37 of the guide wheel 30, in this
embodiment the drive element 1000' is connected firstly to the groove 850
of the loading member 800, as in the first embodiment, but it is
connected secondly to the toothed wheel 730 interposed between the drive
element 1000' and the guide wheel 30. For the remainder, the operation is
similar to the first embodiment, i.e. when the user opens the movable
cover elements 11, 12, the drive element 1000' slides in the groove 850,
advantageously at a projection 1010'. Since the first groove portion 850
is substantially parallel or equidistant relative to the pivot axis of
the movable cover elements 11, 12, the first groove portion does not
substantially cause action on the drive element 1000', whereas the second
groove portion, of different slope, causes said drive element 1000' to
pivot and become disengaged from the toothed wheel 730. If the user
closes the device without inhaling, the drive element 1000' merely slides
back into the groove 850 and once again becomes meshed with the same
tooth of the toothed wheel 730, such that nothing happens to the
reservoir substrate or to the blocking means 100. In contrast, after
inhalation, when the user closes the movable cover elements, the drive
element 1000' becomes meshed in another tooth of the toothed wheel in
manner similar to the manner described above for the first embodiment.

[0084]FIGS. 27a to 31b show another embodiment in which the reservoir
substrate 20 is displaced in the first direction each time the cover
elements 11, 12 are opened. In this variant, if the user closes without
inhaling, the reservoir substrate is returned to its initial position. In
the absence of any inhalation, the reservoir substrate thus moves back
and forth so as to return exactly to its start position after closure.
Thus, this also guarantees that doses are not lost, even in the event of
incomplete manipulation of the device. In the event of inhalation,
closure after inhalation does not cause the reservoir substrate to be
displaced, so that for the next actuation, it is the next full reservoir
that is brought to face the opening means during opening of the cover
elements.

[0085]In this embodiment, the loading means comprise a rod 1051' that
firstly is fastened to the movable support means 50, and that secondly
slides by means of a projection 1051'' in a groove 1910 that is provided
in a loading member 1800, connected to said movable cover elements 11,
12. The loading operation is similar to the loading operation described
with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14. The loading member 1800 is meshed with
the guide wheel 30, as can be seen more clearly in the views from the
rear. Connection means 1000'' are provided for co-operating with the
guide wheel 30 so long as the movable support means 50 have not been
displaced into their dispensing position, after inhalation. After
inhalation, the connection means, advantageously including a projection
that co-operates with a set of teeth of the guide wheel 30, are
deactivated, i.e. they no longer co-operate with the guide wheel. When
the user closes the device, the guide wheel together with the movable
support means thus return to the non-dispensing position, without turning
about the axis of rotation. It is only when fully closed that the
connection means once again mesh with the guide wheel.

[0086]The device of the invention can also include a dose indicator or
counter 120 that is adapted to count or indicate to the user the number
of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed. In the
embodiment shown, the indicator is adapted to count 60 doses. FIGS. 15 to
20 show an actuation cycle of the device and the manner in which the
indicator is actuated. The indicator advantageously comprises a ring 127
provided with an inner set of teeth 128 and with an outer set of teeth
129 and including numbers 125, e.g. from 0 to 60, printed on one of its
faces. The ring is mounted in such a manner that the numbers pass
successively into the window 19 of the body 10. The inner set of teeth
128 is advantageously adapted to co-operate with an actuator 160, whereas
the outer set of teeth 129 is advantageously adapted to co-operate with
non-return means 170 that are adapted to prevent the indicator ring 127
from turning in the opposite direction to the direction that is imposed
thereto by the actuator 160.

[0087]An object of the invention is to avoid counting doses that have not
been dispensed, e.g. in the event of a manipulation error, or of an
incomplete manipulation of the device. It is thus essential that the
counter or indicator is actuated only once the user has inhaled, since it
is this inhalation that makes it possible for the blister to open and the
dose contained therein to be dispensed. For this purpose, the device
includes an actuator 160 that is pivotally mounted on the body 10. The
actuator 160 includes engagement means 165, in particular teeth, adapted
to mesh in a set of teeth 565, or complementary teeth provided on movable
support means 50. Thus, when the user opens the device and loads the
loading means of the device, the movable support means 50 do not move
since they are held in the non-dispensing position by the blocking means
100. Thus, nothing happens to the indicator since the actuator 160 that
is pivotally mounted on the body 10 and meshed with the movable support
means 50, also remains stationary. If the user closes the device without
inhaling, obviously still nothing happens since the movable support means
50 still remain stationary. In this way, it is guaranteed that the
indicator does not count doses if there is no inhalation. From the loaded
position, shown in FIG. 18, if the user inhales, the movable support
means 50 are displaced into their dispensing position towards the opening
means. This displacement thus causes the actuator 160 to pivot in a first
direction, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The actuator 160 includes a
finger 168 that is meshed in the inner set of teeth 128 of the indicator
ring 127. In the first direction of displacement, the finger 168 of the
actuator can slide over the slope of the corresponding tooth so as to
become positioned facing the next tooth. In parallel, the non-return
means 170, in particular a non-return finger 179, co-operate with the
outer set of teeth 129 of the ring 127 so as to prevent said ring from
turning under the effect of friction, e.g. exerted by the finger 168 of
the actuator on the inner set of teeth 128. After inhalation, when the
user closes the device, the movable support means 50 are returned to
their rest position, i.e. the non-dispensing position. This movement thus
causes the actuator 160 to pivot in the direction opposite to the
first-described direction, since the respective sets of teeth 165, 565 of
the actuator and of the movable support means pivot in the direction
opposite to the above-described direction. In the displacement in the
opposite direction, the finger 168 of the actuator 160 presses into the
tooth in which it is positioned so as to cause the ring 127 to turn, as
shown in FIG. 20. In parallel, the non-return finger 179 slides over the
slope of the tooth so as to become positioned in the following tooth. In
the embodiment shown, the indicator is adapted to indicate the number of
doses that remain to be dispensed, so that the number displayed decreases
on each actuation. Naturally, the reverse is also possible, i.e. a
counter that counts the number of doses that have been dispensed.
Advantageously, it is possible to provide blocking means for blocking the
indicator after the last dose has been dispensed. The blocking means can
take different forms, an advantageous form being to provide a different
shaped tooth on the inner set of teeth so that the actuator can no longer
become meshed in the next tooth in order to continue causing said
indicator ring to turn. Other means of preventing the ring from turning
after the last dose has been dispensed can also be envisaged.

[0088]In all of the embodiments described above, the blister strip is
formed by a strip presenting two ends. In a variant, it is possible to
use a continuous strip. Other modifications are also possible without
going beyond the ambit of the present invention.

[0089]The present invention therefore makes it possible to provide a
dry-powder inhaler that performs the following functions: [0090]a
plurality of individual doses of powder stored in individual sealed
reservoirs, e.g. 30 or 60 doses stored on a rolled-up strip; [0091]the
powder is released by perforation that is achieved by the user inhaling,
the blister being perforated by means of an inhalation detector system
that is coupled to a prestressed release system;
[0092]appropriately-shaped drive means that are engaged with blisters so
as to displace the blister strip on each actuation, and to bring a new
reservoir into a position in which it is to be opened by appropriate
opening means; and [0093]means for avoiding doses being lost in the event
of the inhaler being opened, but in the absence of any inhalation. In
this event, when the inhaler closes, the device returns exactly to its
start position; [0094]a dose indicator adapted to count the doses only in
the event of inhalation.

[0095]Other functions are also provided by the device of the invention as
described above. It should be observed that the various functions, even
if they are shown as being provided simultaneously on the various
embodiments of the inhaler, could be implemented separately. In
particular, the inhalation trigger mechanism could be used regardless of
the type of reservoir-opening means, regardless of the use of a dose
indicator, regardless of the way in which the individual reservoirs are
arranged relative to one another, etc. The prestressing means and the
inhalation trigger system could be made in some other way. The same
applies for other component parts of the device.

[0096]The inhaler of the invention, incorporating all or some of the
above-described functions, provides performance that is superior to the
performance of existing devices. In particular, the inhaler of the
invention preferably provides a reservoir emptying factor of at least 90%
on each actuation. The emptying factor, corresponding to the percentage
of fluid that is expelled from an open reservoir while the device is
being actuated, is advantageously greater than 95%, preferably even
greater than 97%. In particular, this high emptying factor is even
greater than the performance obtained with active inhalers that are
generally more effective than passive inhalers, and in which it is not
the inhalation flow that empties the blister and expels the dose but a
flow of compressed air that is released while inhaling. The high emptying
factor guarantees that the device of the invention is as effective as
possible. Coupled with the inhalation-triggered opening, the high
emptying factor guarantees that the fluid, specifically the powder, is
dispensed in optimum manner into the user's lungs. The invention also
provides improved emptying regularity of the reservoirs during successive
actuations. Thus, for ten reservoirs of a blister strip, for example, it
turns out that the emptying factor varies by less than 15%,
advantageously by less than 10%, preferably by less than 5% from one
reservoir to another. This improved regularity guarantees improved dose
reproducibility, and therefore also improved effectiveness of the device
of the invention.

[0097]Various modifications can also be envisaged by a person skilled in
the art, without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, as
defined by the accompanying claims. In particular, the various
characteristics and functions of the device described with reference to
the various embodiments and variants can be adapted to all of the
embodiments and variants, and can be combined together in any appropriate
manner.